Northern Sky Research Announces Broadband Satellite and VSAT Market Gains

The report of NSR’s Broadband Satellite Markets 11th Edition projected the worldwide VSAT, Broadband Satellite, Trunking and Backhaul markets to acquire a total of $9.1 billion come 2021, as subscribers of satellite broadband Internet access will surpass 5.2 million worldwide in ten years, and the enterprise VSAT installed base will reach almost 2.9 million sites.

In his report, NSR Senior Analyst Patrick M. French said, “The launch of new high throughput satellites in North America finally began to impact the growth curve for satellite broadband Internet access services in 2012. NSR expects that these services will prove their mettle in the coming 12 to 18 months in North America, and this should give the needed nudge to other regions like Western Europe and Latin America." With regards to enterprise VSAT, the report also predicts that within a few years, the developing Asian and Latin American markets will have bigger installed VSAT bases compared to mature markets like North America.

Northern Sky Research also expects that as services change to provisioning with HTS and O3b capacity, IP trunking and backhaul services will make compelling strides. This migration serves as a way to offer more capacity at an affordable price than the traditional Ku-band and Traditional C- services.

Hermes presents new mobile VSAT unit with WiFi access to satellite Internet

A new mobile wireless VSAT solution has emerged from the development labs of Hermes Datacomms. The Company's new wireless mobile VSAT unit will supplement its existing services for customers in dangerous and extreme environments.

Mounted on a trailer, the self-contained system can deploy within four minutes at the push of a button. It will provide instant WiFi access to satellite Internet even in hot, dusty, or wet environments.

Hermes is reportedly highly enthused about the new VSAT system, which it describes to be even simpler and more reliable than the mobile systems the Company currently operates in Ethiopia and Kenya.

Both new and old Hermes Datacomms VSAT systems leverage the high-power C-band beams and regional Ku-band beams of the AMOS-5 satellite.

Astrium Services widens maritime VSAT bandwidth, services, coverage

Astrium Services made it known that the major extensions to their worldwide VSAT satellite communications services have been completed. The Company can now provide greater bandwidth, more services, and the broadest commercially-available global coverage through a larger number of small maritime VSAT antenna.

Back in September 2012, Astrium Services announced that it has improved the coverage and service of its Pharostar, Sealink, and Wavecall brands. The three Astrium maritime VSAT services use iDirect technology to meet the maritime market's need for high-performance broadband connectivity.

Astrium had boosted data throughput speeds for both standardized VSAT systems and the Sealink custom solutions. Standard very small aperture terminals can reach 3 Mbps while Sealink solutions can hit up to 10 Mbps. This means faster data transfers and more cost-efficient connections for maritime vessels who use Astrium services.

The improved speeds of Astrium VSAT services will be able to provide fast and always-on connectivity to maritime applications such as Internet from satellite access, email, voice calls, fax and SMS, database backup, video and file transfer protocol for business and crew communications.

In addition, Astrium has completed its geographical coverage extensions over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in October 2012. The Company expects to extend its services to the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean before the year ends. Astrium VSAT service customers will automatically receive coverage in the new areas. 

The Astrium services can also be combined with both Ku-band and complimentary MSS connectivity, allowing the maritime vessel to stay connected even outside VSAT coverage zones. Another optional is the Vizada XChange control platform, which can enhance the VSAT extension through its remote fleet management services.

Costa Rica grants VSAT license to Datzap after three year negotiations

After years of intense negotiations involving the Costa Rican government and Ohio Senator Rob Portman (the US Trade Representative,) Datzap has finally received a license to offer VSAT services and systems in Costa Rica.

According to Mike Kister, President of VSAT Systems, the Akron, Ohio-based Datzap is the first American company to enter the Costa Rican marketplace, which the local government had monopolized for many years. He calls the decision of the Costa Rican government to grant Datzap its license the herald of a great day for VSAT and US business in general.

The satellite uplink facility and infrastructure of VSAT Systems, Datzap's parent company, is now at the service of Costa Rica. From there, customers can directly access to the U.S. Internet backbone, whose performance and security are better than those provided by local resellers of the Costa Rican national satellite system.

Datzat is actively recruiting Costa Rican resellers into its fold by offering hardware and service incentives worth $200,000.

VSAT Systems operates three of the most sought-after geostationary satellites in the Western Hemisphere. This satellite fleet will be leveraged by Datzap to provide Internet-by-satellite and satellite communications service anywhere in Central America and the Caribbean region. Datzap plans to offer its VSAT services to diverse markets such as agriculture, banking, cellular backhaul, disaster response, and the retail grocery and restaurant trade.

Ku Band Satellites: ILS successfully launches Intelsat 23 Ku-band sate...

Ku Band Satellites: ILS successfully launches Intelsat 23 Ku-band sate...: Satellite service provider Intelsat S.A. recently announced that a Proton launch vehicle operated by International Launch Service...

TCS scores big order with US Army for SNAP VSAT support, maintenance

TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) announced that it will be performing field services support and maintenance for Secret Internet Protocol Router and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Access Point (SNAP) very-small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite systems on behalf of for the princely price of $18 million.

The PM WIN-T program will be using the U.S. Army's $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems (WWSS) contract vehicle to fund its procurement.

The TCS SNAP VSAT systems will receive and deliver encrypted voice, video, and data through a variety of multimedia communications capabilities. SNAP products are very rugged, easily transported, and quick to set up and operate thanks to their graphical user interface.

According to a statement by Michael Bristol, Government Solutions Senior Vice President and General Manager of TCS, the military needed secure, deployable, and reliable satellite communications systems. Dedicated field support and maintenance -like those provided by experienced TCS field service personnel- will ensure the continuous operations of those same VSAT systems. 

Recommended additional readings:

• Dish Network settles cases with Voom HD, AMC Networks

Telefonica del Peru debuts iDirect Evolution-based VSAT services

The iDirect Evolution platform served as the basis of the very small aperture terminal (VSAT) service recently offered by Telefonica del Peru to banking, oil and gas, and government sectors in Peru and its South American neighbors.

Telefonica del Peru integrated existing multi protocol label switching (MPLS) networks into the new VSAT networks using iDirect technology. Customers could now enjoy an unbroken end-to-end networking solution no matter how remote their location.

Telefonica del Peru deployed two iDirect Universal 15000 Series satellite hubs and more than 1,000 Evolution X1 and X3 remotes for its new VSAT service. IDirect's iDX 3.1 software runs on all of those satellite communications systems.

Telefonica del Peru sought out a highly efficient and reliable satellite solution when it expanded satellite communications services to 2,000 of the largest enterprises in Peru. iDirect's superior VSAT technology allowed the Peruvian company to extend its MPLS services while ensuring that Telefonica del Peru customers received the quality of service that they paid for.

iDirect provides a cost-effective, scalable solution that guarantees faster ROI. The company's iDX 3.1 software allows Telefonica del Peru to offer narrowband service and support large-scale networks with the Peruvian company's existing infrastructure.

iDX3.1 can also handle applications like SCADA/substation automation, pipeline monitoring, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) mobile backhaul, business continuity, SOHO, and distance learning.

In addition, the iDirect's Series 15000 Universal Satellite Hub allows Telefonica del Peru to deliver the highest quality connectivity regardless of bandwidth requirement, satellite band, or network topology.

Telefonica del Peru will also be tapping a new licensing option for the Evolution XLC-M Line Card. The option for XLC-M allows it to support up to 16 narrowband return channels.

Libya grants VSAT License to Hermes Communications Technology

The Libyan government has issued a VSAT License to Hermes Communications Technology. Hermes is now authorized offer very small aperture terminal-based satellite communications services to Libyan markets like the oil and gas industry.

According to Glynn Wagg, Country Manager Libya, Hermes aims to provide its Libyan customers with an extensive range of direct support and reliable, secure communications services. “This [VSAT] license will aid our customers in receiving faster installations, clearer costs and the assurance of legal requirements,” Mr. Wagg said.

A joint venture partner of Hermes Datacommunications International Ltd., Hermes Communications Technology supplies VSAT communications, onshore and offshore, in city and remote locations. Hermes had established a presence within Tripoli, the capitol of Libya, back in 2008.

Recommended additional reading:

• Hughes providing HX System 4.0 backhaul solution to Latin American telecom operator

Gilat adds disaster recovery functionality to SkyEdge II VSAT platform

In light of the growing number and severity of disasters worldwide, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. took the precaution of adding advanced Dual IPsec disaster recovery functionality to its SkyEdge II VSAT product.

An ‘embedded Dual IPsec’ functionality -unique to Gilat systems- enables simultaneous processing over two ‘end-to-end’ IPsec tunnels. Dual IPsec-capable VSAT platforms will automatically switch transaction data to disaster recovery sites without needing to purchase and install external equipment.

The timely arrival of critical information is important to many thousands of networked terminals, ATM banks, retailers, and other distributed enterprises. High service availability ensures the accuracy and responsiveness of the flow of information in today's online and real time computing environments. It is important to ensure that a communications network can quickly recover and resume operations after a failure in communications caused by anything up to a natural disaster.

Gilat's IPsec functionality gives its SkyEdge II VSAT product an affordable and effective disaster recovery option that takes full advantage of the strengths of satellite communications systems.

SIS LIVE aims to wow SATCOM, VSAT customers at IBC2012 exhibition

SIS LIVE will be unveiling its latest satellite and broadcast products -such as the DriveForce vehicle mounted antenna, the PlexSIS fibre system, and the ManPak compact VSAT terminal- at IBC 2012 this September.

A DriveForce antenna will be installed on a Mercedes Sprinter stationed in SIS Live's outside exhibition area. The dish will transmit 20-minute IBC TV News daily broadcasts to Europe and North America during the course of IBC2012.

DriveForce is a vehicle mounted antenna system designed in the light of increasing demand for high bandwidth HD transmissions. Many existing systems simply install a larger reflector on mounts developed for small aperture antennas. This slapshod construction compromises the antenna's design and wind load performance.

In comparison, DriveForce's ultra-high performance carbon fibre antenna is installed upon a dedicated mount. It is fully automated, can operate in wind speeds of up to 60mph, and uses SIS LIVE's differential antenna control technology to find and track any satellite in just moments.

The outside exhibition area will also show off SIS LIVE's other products. Among the items to watch out for are the PlexSIS fiber  optic transport system, which can transport up to 16 SDI signals over a single optical fibre; the ManPak portable VSAT, which weighs all of 12kg and has no removable parts; the uPak 60 automated lightweight VSAT unit; the Tr-uPod tripod satellite uplink system; and the RouteCase 4 channel HD/SDI production unit.

SIS LIVE will also be demonstrating the capabilities NewTek’s MINI LiveMan vehicle. A compact mobile production unit with a uPod satellite uplink system, the MINI LiveMan is the first HD Live Production vehicle ever integrated in a compact SUV. The NewTek vehicle's uPod uplink works through SIS LIVE’s dedicated iDirect multi-satellite hub to instantly access to satellites high bandwidth streaming capabilities.

iDirect satellite router board modems support USSOCOM mobile VSAT terminals

iDirect Government Technologies will be supporting U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) operations through the SATCOM L-3 GCS Hawkeye III Lite 1.2M and Hawkeye III 2.0M VSAT terminals.

Designed by L-3 GCS, Hawkeye VSAT units support the Special Operations Forces Deployable Node-Family of Terminals (SDN-Lite FoT) secure satellite communications program. Both models use iDirect-designed iConnex e800 satellite router boards, which are smaller and lighter than their competitors.

The iGT iConnex satellite router board modems support data, voice, and video connectivity. Their high-speed data transmission, increased bandwidth capacity, and higher network availability greatly contribute to highly mobile military applications, such as the mobile VSAT platforms deployed by troops at the battlefront.

“We are pleased to partner with L-3 GCS on the SDN-Lite FoT program,” said John Ratigan, iGT President, regarding IDirect's hand in providing American warfighters some of the most advanced and secure satellite communications networks in the market.

“iGT and L-3 GCS continue to have a winning relationship and a common goal of developing high-quality, leading-edge satellite communications technologies for our troops,” agreed Bob Jacobson, President of L-3 GCS.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of VT iDirect, Inc., iDirect Government Technologies provides secure satellite-based voice, video, and data applications for military and government users. Its satellite IP solutions ensure critical satellite communications for a wide variety of military missions such as force protection, logistics and situational awareness, disaster recovery, and emergency response.

NewSat News: VSAT 2012 is pushing through

VSAT 2012 is pushing through despite the VSAT industry’s major changes as it is planned to be held on the Lancaster London Hotel in London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures, September 11-14.

After years of scarcity of spacecraft bringing terabytes of bandwidth at vastly reduced costs--perhaps one tenth of current levels, or even lower--are now coming into service. These new satellite systems and ever growing fibre networks bring plentiful bandwidth, but at least, initially, restricted accessed.

The COMSYS VSAT Conference is where the pivotal players in the VSAT industry meet for partnerships, plans, business strategies and decisions to be made. On their meeting, they are all under the objective of the conference which is to focus on issues, latest developments and strongest areas of opportunity in the global marketplace by bringing together the major-decision makers and most successful exponents in the industry.

NewSat, Australia’s largest independent satellite communications provider--communications satellite (COMSAT), an artificial satellite sent to space for the purpose of telecommunications--to date, will be attending VSAT 2012 also for discussion in the Jabiru-1 satellite, scheduled to take off in 2012.  It will provide high-powered Ka band capacity over the Middle East, Africa (MENA Region) and Asia. It will also provide “new” capacity ro these regions, offering a range of multi-sport regional and steerable beams, delivering “raw” capacity and flexible payloads. It will also cater to mobile communications carrier and private and public organizations in the said regions. NewSat-owned Jabiru is Australia’s first independently owned satellite operator to manage a fleet of commercial Ku band and Ka band satellites.

A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) is a two-way satellite ground station or a stabilized maritime VSAT antenna with a dish antenna that is smaller than three meters.

See: Astrium and NewSat for Lockheed Martin

Hughes Communications commands 52% of the Indian VSAT industry

According to a report by Voice and Data Magazine, Hughes Communications India currently leads the VSAT industry in India, having reportedly achieved a 52% market share in FY12.

The Voice and Data report stated that Hughes registered an 18.4% year-over-year revenue growth for FY12. The company's VSAT services achieved Rs 167 crore of total revenue. In comparison, during FY11, Hughes earned Rs 141 crore in total revenue.

Hughes also deployed 25.4% more VSAT terminals compared to last year. Voice and Data Magazine noted that Hughes installed 11,303 VSATs installations during FY12. That accounts for 52% of the total VSAT systems in India.

Hughes secured a number of large contracts with Indian companies this FY12. It will be creating 2,000 site network for State Bank of India, provide broadband satellite services to link 825 locations for Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam in Rajasthan, and will deploy a network of 713 sites on behalf of a quintet of Karnatakan utility companies. The Rajasthan contract will take place over 3 years, while the Karnataka agreement will be for 5 years.

In addition, Hughes also got an order from ‘Brown Label’ to set up around 5,000 satellite terminals at ATM service providers across the Indian subcontinent.

“The Voice and Data report is testimony to Hughes overall leadership in the Indian VSAT industry,” said Partho Banerjee, president and managing director of HCIL. “Our growth has been led by significant business wins across the banking and financial services industries and government projects. We are very proud to be the flag bearers of the Indian VSAT industry," he continued, "and look forward to maintaining this lead in the future.”

The Voice and Data Magazine report stated that VSAT deployments increased by nearly 6% in FY12, leading to market growth of 6.2%. That raised the industry's overall revenue to INR 500 crore.

The VSAT industry also experienced several highlights in FY 12. The Ka-band spectrum (18-28 Ghz) was used for the first time to provide high-capacity, high-speed bandwidth- and just in time, as on-the-move mobility applications for voice and video that could take advantage of the new frequencies became available.

White label and managed service providers also began wide-scale adoption of VSAT terminals for use with ATMs. Enhanced VSAT CPEs were developed for security and routing and dual hubs were now used to generate multi-service integration business continuity.

CA Clase debuts new KVH V11 mini-VSAT

CA Clase (UK) Ltd recently launched the TracPhone V11, the latest dual-mode C-band/Ku-band very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite communications system from KVH

The V11 is a compact 1m satellite antenna that provides high-capacity offshore connectivity anywhere in the world save the polar regions. The unit is smaller and/or lighter than similarly-sized Ku-band maritime VSAT systems. It is also 85% smaller and lighter than competing C-band SATCOM systems. 

KVH’s HD11 mechanism served as the basis for a unique 4-axis gyro stabilised pedestal that mounts the V11's finely-tuned carbon-fiber dish. The HD11-derived robotic drive gives a single V11 antenna greater reliability than multiple antenna systems.

The new KVH satellite communications system taps into a satellite broadband network of high-capacity Ku-band satellite transponders when traversing the world’s most populated areas. The V11 VSAT automatically switches to legacy C-band transponders if geography or weather disrupts the Ku-band. Transmissions on both bands are channeled through a military-grade modem to ensure that on-board applications run smoothly

CA Clase is the biggest marine electronics distributor in the UK's commercial and leisure marine markets.

It is a licensed distributor of KVH's world-leading on-board satellite communications systems, which now includes and features the brand new V11 dual-band mini-VSAT system.

All set for COMSYS VSAT2012 in London this September

Come September, London will be the place to go for very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) operators and end-users. That's because COMSYS will be holding its VSAT2012 Conference at the Lancaster Hotel from September 12 to 14.

VSAT2012 will have the theme of “VSAT Vertical Value." The COMSYS conference will focus in on the VSAT industry as it undergoes a series of significant changes.

During the past few years, the VSAT industry had to put up with grossly insufficient bandwidth to meet increasing demands. But now there are plans to deploy new satellites that will provide Terabits of new bandwidth by tapping the Ka band. Such a tremendous influx of new bandwidth will potentially drive costs down to perhaps a tenth of the current prices, which will turn the industry upside-down.

At COMSYS VSAT2012, VSAT operators and end-users will learn about the complex changes taking place and the timescales for these changes. They will be able to identify the possible threats and potential opportunities that they might encounter in the new business environment.

In addition, COMSYS will offer a choice of one-day workshops on the day before the main conference. The workshops will tackle VSAT Market & Technology Essentials and Satellite Communications Fundamentals.

Inmarsat: Maritime satphone customers okay with satphone service price hike

Inmarsat may have raised prices on handheld satellite telephone services, but its customers reportedly remain loyal and its maritime VSAT rivals were supposedly mistaken about the effect of its new pricing policy.

The London-based satcom company reported that it currently controls a 10 percent share of the handheld satphone market. 65,000 customers are active Inmarsat subscribers.

Rival mobile satcom service providers Iridium Communications and KVH Industries have alleged that Inmarsat is losing customers because of price hikes and the failure of a new Inmarsat L- and Ku-band product to win market favor. But Inmarsat declared that its decision to raise prices on certain services did not have any negative impact on its core maritime customer base.

In the last few years, Inmarsat has broadened its business scope in reaction to two separate threats. The first threat were the satellite telephone handsets produced by Iridium, Globalstar, and Thuraya, which took land-mobile communications business away from Inmarsat.

Inmarsat counterattacked with the introduction of its IsatPhone Pro in 2010. IsatPhone Pro was a lower-cost alternative to competing satphones, and Inmarsat intended to take a 10 percent share of the satphone market with it.

In an Aug. 3 conference call, Inmarsat Chief Executive Rupert Pearce said that the company's 10 percent goal had been reached with the sale and activation of 65,000 IsatPhone Pro handsets. “We have successfully reinserted ourselves into the satellite-phone sector,” Pearce said.

The second threat was directed at Inmarsat’s key maritime market. Iridium and other companies were selling Ku-band VSATs that offer far higher throughput than Inmarsat’s L-band satellite network, for lower per-megabit cost.

Inmarsat initially responded with its $1.2 billion, three-satellite Global Xpress program. The company then introduced its Xpress Link dual package to entice customers to subscribe to Inmarsat while waiting for Global Xpress.

In mid-2011, Inmarsat purchased maritime VSAT provider ShipEquip. It combined a ShipEquip Ku-band VSAT antenna with a separate, smaller antenna for Inmarsat’s Fleet Broadband L-band maritime service to create the Xpress Link package.

Customers who purchased Xpress Link will get Global Xpress hardware once the latter system is operational. Inmarsat also increased the prices of earlier-generation Inmarsat B and Fleet products to encourage customers to migrate to Xpress Link.

Inmarsat also modified its Fleet Broadband pricing policy so that customers will pay a fee for Fleet Broadband even if they never use it.The new pricing aimed to discourage ship owners from using the Inmarsat product as a rarely-used emergency backup to a VSAT antenna produced by a rival company.

Iridium and KVH sought to turn Inmarsat's new pricing policy against it. Iridium Chief Executive Matt Desch cited Inmarsat as one the main reasons Iridium’s maritime VSAT business is growing. “Inmarsat’s helping a lot with their price changes,” Mr. Desch said in an Aug. 2 conference call, claiming that their rival company was “competing with their customers and a little confusion as to their strategy.”

Similarly, KVH Industries claimed Inmarsat’s Xpress Link service has failed to challenge KVH’s TracPhone V-series of Ku-band antenna. KVH reportedly shipped over 2,500 maritime VSAT systems. Later in 2012, it plans to offer a new C-band product with a 90-kilogram antenna with dual Ku-/C-band links and a global reach.

In comparison, Inmarsat’s Xpress Link is comprised of a 1.7-meter-diameter global VSAT Ku-band antenna that weighs twice that of the planned KVH product. And that's not including the 60-centimeter Fleet Broadband antenna. Or the refrigerator-sized assembly that both antenna are attached to.

KVH Chief Executive Martin Kits van Heyningen opined that Inmarsat's Xpress Link was “not an elegant solution.” He also claimed “that doesn’t seem to be getting a lot of traction in the market right now.”

Mr. Pearce rejected both assessments by Inmarsat's rivals. “We are not seeing a material erosion of any kind in the maritime market,” Pearce declared in the Aug. 3 conference call. He pointed out that more than 30,000 Fleet Broadband terminals had been installed by now. Those terminals included the nearly 2,300 units installed during April, May, and June. “The VSAT incursion,” he dismissed, “which was never particularly material, has slowed considerably.”

Mr. Pearce also made an issue of how KVH’s C-band product would encounter regulatory issues when used in certain regions less than 200 nautical miles from shore. Inmarsat spokesman Christopher McLaughlin expanded on Mr. Pearce's declaration by explaining that terrestrial wireless operators in certain regions generate interference over the C-band.

Inmarsat installing XpressLink VSAT-wireless on MISC Berhad tankers

Maritime communications provider Inmarsat reported that it will be providing its XpressLink wireless/satellite communications solution to 46 chemical and LNG tankers operated by Malaysian shipping conglomerate MISC Berhad, with an option to provide additional bandwidth in the future.

Inmarsat's XpressLink maritime communications solution combines high-bandwidth Ku-band VSAT satellite communications and versatile FleetBroadband wireless communications. The integrated satcom/wireless package ensures seamless communications and unlimited data availability between ship and shore anytime and anywhere in the world.

In addition, the XpressLink solution's dual communications systems ensure excellent redundancy in any situation. XpressLink users can expect 99.9 percent uptime compared to standalone VSAT or wireless communications systems.

MISC Berhad further signed up for an option to double its available bandwidth at a pre-determined monthly rate. The Malaysian company expects its bandwidth usage to increase in the future, and it intends to take advantage of Inmarsat's Global Xpress constellation when the latter activates in 2014.

"It is important for us to have ample bandwidth to manage our ship and shore operational systems and meet the communication needs of our seafarers at sea," said Captain S Rajalingam, Vice President Fleet Management System at MISC Berhad. "During our sea trials, we compared XpressLink with a number of competitive offerings and XpressLink impressed us with its performance."

Captain Rajalingam stated that "Inmarsat XpressLink offered the best value proposition delivering reliable, unlimited data usage on both the VSAT and FleetBroadband services."

"Inmarsat already has a strong relationship with MISC Berhad," Frank Coles, President of Inmarsat Maritime, commented, "and this latest endorsement in the form of a new commitment for XpressLink is very gratifying."

US Army orders SNAP VSAT satellite communications systems, support from TCS

TeleCommunication Systems Inc. announced that it received a funded order from the US Army for a batch of deployable satellite communications systems equipment and attached technical support services.

The Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) order comes from the U.S. Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network - Tactical Commercial Satellite Terminal Program. The order is worth $7.3 million, and according to TCS, the funding will come from the Army's $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems contract vehicle.

According to Michael Bristol, TCS senior vice president and general manager of government solutions, "The U.S. armed forces benefit greatly from secure, easy-to-deploy, and reliable satellite communications systems. TCS' SNAP VSAT satellite systems equipment gives our fighting forces the communications advantages they demand."

Secret Internet Protocol Router and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Access Point (SNAP) VSATs are highly-secure and capable satellite communications systems. They provide multimedia communications capabilities such as encrypted voice, video, and data. SNAP satcom terminals features modularity and plug-and-play interfaces that allow its operator to reconfigure its systems to match the specific requirements of the mission at hand.

HME outsources Broadband at Sea platform to Outsource-IT Management

Holland Marine Equipment (HME) has turned over executing duties at Platform Broadband at Sea to Ron Vollenga of Outsource-IT Management.

While HME retains ownership of Platform, Outsource's Vollenga will now coordinate the activities and events on behalf of HME.

Broadband at Sea promotes transparency in the maritime broadband market. It also promotes the use of fleet and satellite VSAT-provided broadband at sea. The platform organizes meetings that discuss market developments and issues regarding maritime broadband communication.

HME started the Broadband at Sea initiative in 2007 as a subsidized project limited to Dutch shipping companies and suppliers. The project's successful project led to its transformation into a Platform where international shipping companies and suppliers share the solutions reaped by their Dutch counterparts.

Outsource-IT Management had been active in Broadband at Sea ever since the project phase. Outsource-IT provides consultancy services in the field of maritime ICT for maritime companies. It is an expect on topics that cover fleet and satellite broadband connection, project management services, and other related services

MTN, WMS deploy VSAT, wireless solution on Carnival Breeze cruise ship

Carnival Breeze, the newest ship of Carnival Cruise Lines, will be able to provide its passengers and crew with wireless broadband services through a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system installed by MTN Satellite Communications.

For this project, MTN partnered with cellular service provider Wireless Maritime Services (WMS.) WMS possesses extensive experience with the unique wireless communications needs of the cruise line and ferry industry.

The combined telecommunications skills of MTN and WMS allowed Carnival Breeze to provide a "shore-side" satellite and wireless broadband experience to its passengers and crew during its first month of operation. MTN provided an Internet Café solution that could be accessed by mobile devices such as fixed PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, allowing all aboard to stay connected with the wider world while enjoying the sea.

The Carnival Breeze cruise ship can carry more than 4,000 passengers and nearly 1,800 crew members.

Brent Horwitz, SVP and GM for MTN Cruise and Ferry Services, stated that the number of Internet and mobile minutes used during the maiden voyage of the Carnival Breeze today's society placed great importance on staying connected even while on vacation. Mr. Horwitz said that there is a significant need for the ability to surf the Internet and access data through personal mobile devices even at sea.

MTN Satellite Communications recently announced that MTN Worldwide TV is now available for government vessels. According to MTN, MTV Worldwide TV will allow seafarers to watch a wide selection of news and entertainment programming drawn from international television networks.

KVH picks MVS Group as mini-VSAT service provider

KVH Industries, Inc. recently agreed to a service provider agreement with mobile satellite service distributor MVS Group.

MVS will be allowed to offer KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband service and TracPhone V-series satellite communications systems to MVS' global customer base. By bundling KVH’s service within MVS' billing and airtime management system and full suite of value-added services, MVS will be able to provide one-stop shopping services for its global customer base.

Brent Bruun, senior vice president of global sales and business development for KVH, expressed glowing admiration for KVH's newest service provider. “The MVS Group is a market leader that has won a solid following of loyal customers throughout the world," he noted, "By providing outstanding customer support and offering satellite services enhanced with its comprehensive, value-added services.”

VP Bruun expressed delight on behalf of KVH “to enter into this cooperation to offer [MVH's] customers next-generation VSAT services delivered by our mini-VSAT Broadband network and our award-winning TracPhone V-series product line.”

Founded in 1995, the MVS Group is dedicated to providing mobile applications access to L-band MSS services to its customers wherever they are. The company's excellent support, high-quality billing systems, and full range of value-added services made it a leader in the mobile satellite communications market. MVS Group is now the third largest Inmarsat Distribution Partner in the world. It is also a global Service Provider for Iridium. With corporate headquarters in the United States, and regional offices in Cyprus, Russia, and the Netherlands, MVS Group closely cooperate with their customers to realize business objectives through efficent use of satellite communications services.

On MVS Group's part, Deborah Deffaa, executive director of the MVS, explained that “Broadband connectivity offshore is becoming an important requirement in the commercial maritime industry.” According to her, MVS's customers are employing new applications to save fuel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance effiency, and boost crew morale. These applications need faster and cheaper satellite communications service for maximum efficency.

"KVH has developed a remarkable new maritime broadband network," Director Deffaa observed, "That takes advantage of advanced, spread spectrum technology to dramatically reduce the size and cost of the antennas needed to receive the service onboard the vessels." KVH's advanced systems make it "easier than ever before to deploy affordable broadband service at sea.”

KVH designs are considered to be the fastest-growing and most widely-used maritime VSAT solution in the world. More than 2,000 Mini-VSAT Broadband system terminals have been sold.

The KVH network employs ArcLight spread spectrum technology. Created by KVH’s technology partner, ViaSat, Inc. with a specific eye for mobile use, ArcLight possesses a unique and desirable combination of fast speed, low latency, efficient reuse of satellite channels, and ability to support very small antennas that provide reliable service even in inclement weather.

Maritime vessels equipped with mini-VSAT Broadband service have access to some of the highest data rates available today. Download speeds can go as fast as 4 Mbps while upload speeds can hit 1 Mbps. The KVH satellite broadband service also provides Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone lines with optimized service and prioritization of applications.

KVH manufactures several onboard antennas for its mini-VSAT Broadband network. Its 24" diameter TracPhone V7 is an award-winning and highly popular option, while the 14.5" diameter TracPhone V3 is the world’s most affordable and compact maritime VSAT antenna. In addition, KVH will soon release the new dual-mode TracPhone V11, with the ability to accept both C and Ku-band satellite signals from KVH’s global network, giving the V11 95% coverage of the globe

C-Com-authorized RuSat-operated service center in Russia opens

Canadian company C-Com Satellite Systems Inc. teamed up with Moscow-based integrator RuSat LLC. to open C-Com's first authorized service center in Russia.

The RuSat-operated service center will be providing local maintenance and support for Russian customers who use C-Com's iNetVu mobile antennas. Experienced RuSat personnel took theoretical and practical training courses in the troubleshooting and maintenance of C-Com systems before receiving certification.

The certified service center is expected to simplify repair and routine maintenance procedures for the iNetVu mobile systems. In addition to reduced system downtime, RuSat and C-Com will no longer need to spend time and money on transporting defective and replacement parts.

C-Com is the world leader in commercial-grade mobile self-deploying satellite antenna systems. The company's systems possess an excellent reputation with Russian customers. Various local corporations and government agencies use the iNetVu mobile satellite antenna, often in extreme weather conditions.

Its partner, RuSat, is a satellite operator that provides telecommunications services from its Moscow-based teleport to more than 1600 VSAT systems scattered throughout Russia.

Transocean extends RigNet VSAT contract for North Sea rigs

RigNet will continue providing two Transocean offshore drilling rigs in the North Sea with managed communication for another two years.

Transocean is the world's largest offshore drilling company. Its Barents and Spitsbergen rigs are world-class semi-submersible offshore drilling rigs that operate in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

Like other members of the oil and gas community, the Transocean rigs rely upon a high-performance and secure network that ensures offshore and onshore communications, as well as access to business-critical IT applications.

To that end, Transocean extended their contract with RigNet. The managed remote communications company will provide a fully-managed end-to-end IP network solution that ensure last-mile connectivity through maritime VSAT technology.

RigNet's solution includes VoIP, enterprise data and Internet access services. Riverbed Steelhead appliances will power a WAN optimization service that will improve end user experience. Rignet's Network Operations Center will also provide 24/7 network monitoring and support, and it can also dispatch local field technician support if needs necessitate it.

By increasing the levels of standardization and innovation, RigNet's managed solution will allow the Transocean rigs to gain more from their network services.

Øyvind Folge, RigNet's Area Manager for the Nordic Region and Continental Europe, announced it a pleasure for RigNet to continue providing service to Transocean's important semi-submersible North Sea rigs.

RigNet provides managed remote communications, networks and collaborative applications worldwide. Specializing in the oil and gas industry customers, it serves offshore and onshore drilling rigs, energy production facilities, and energy maritime with distinction.

Video: Introduction to VSAT

Watch this short video for an introduction to VSAT. Find out what a VSAT is, how a VSAT works and which customers VSAT’s are ideal for.

Poor communication kills maritime VSAT opportunities

According to a recent maritime satcom conference, both VSAT system vendors and users needed clear lines of communication and understanding when it comes to the use, limitations, and management of satellite communications.

The GVF Conference on Broadband Maritime in London last month covered topics like the market size and the relative merits of the different technologies of maritime satellite communications. But the spotlight ended up focusing on the lack of communications between maritime communications vendors and system users.

Demetris Makaritis, Fleet Manager, Navigator Gas, reported his experience and opinion that VSAT services are intermittently available and often not operational. He cited the example of one vessel reporting 60% down time for its VSAT system in March and April. He did allow that he would happily pay more for bandwidth- that is, if he gets his money's worth.

Probing into the matter revealed that Navigator Gas was using an antenna that wasn't up to the company's requirements. Apparently, Navigator Gas did not inform the satellite communications provider of its exact requirements, so the vendor provided a VSAT model that was not up to the business' expectation.

Similarly, Kaushik Roy, DPA and Company Security Officer for MOL LNG, claimed that the VSAT service was unreliable. Officer Roy did keep Fleet Broadband as a backup, but he also complained that he couldn’t get through to the ship if the crew used up all the capacity for downloading books or movies.

The solution was painfully obvious: Traffic prioritization. However, MOL LNG apparently did not have any staff who possessed knowledge about prioritizing traffic.

Navigator Gas and MOL LNG are major maritime operators. Navigator Gas is the owner-operator of a dozen modern, massive semi-refrigerated gas carriers. Meanwhile, MOL LNG is part of the 910-vessel-strong Mitsui OSK Lines. MOL LNG itself has a hand in transporting 25% of the world’s Liquid Natural Gas (LNG.) Yet such serious misunderstandings still ensued between them and the vendors/providers of VSAT services.

The bigger picture reveals that there are roughly 9,000 commercial ship owners worldwide. (This approximate does not include fisheries and leisure.) Half of that number own just one ship. And these small operators would fare even worse in trying to understand satellite communications because they lack the resources of big companies.

A conference participant asked why the ship or company's radio officer was not involved in the buying process. The participant presumed that the radio officer would know what the ship's technical communications requirements were.

However, Kuba Szymanski of Intermanager revealed that the post of Radio Officer had been gone for many years, a casualty of obsolescence after computers superseded wireless.


The demise of the Radio Officer position meant that VSAT buyers did not have anyone who had a grasp of telecommunications. Deprived of relevant expertise, the buyers would not know the right questions to ask to obtain the service they need.

The conference also noted that there were reportedly many cases of satcoms providers who often lacked information about the unique needs of its customers.

The GVF Conference recommended that buyers needed to be properly educated in VSAT and other forms of satellite communications. Maritime academies currently do not provide courses on this critically important skill.

In addition, Richard Roithner of Euroconsult pointed out that telecoms represent less than 1% of a ship's operating expenses, so it could not demand a lion's share of the typical mariner's expensive education.

Suggestions to rectify the situation involved the satellite communications vendors taking a hand in educating themselves and their customers. Vendors were recommended to understand the maritime market's specific needs and to educate their customers on the capacities of their offered systems.